Climate Risk and Humanitarian Action Associate

Host entity: UNOCHA

Volunteer type: International

Areas of expertise: Energy, Climate change, environment, Humanitarian affairs, protection

Application deadline: 04/11/2026

Mission and objectives

OCHA's mission is to mobilize and coordinate effective and principled humanitarian action in partnership with national and international actors to alleviate human suffering in disasters and emergencies; advocate the rights of people in need; promote preparedness and prevention; and facilitate sustainable solutions. The OCHA Office of the Pacific Islands, based in Suva, supports Pacific Island countries and territories through humanitarian coordination, preparedness, response, information management, advocacy and humanitarian financing support.

Assignment context

Climate change is intensifying humanitarian risks in Pacific Island countries, including through tropical cyclones, flooding, drought, coastal impacts, food and water insecurity and compound hazards. OCHA Pacific works with governments, UN partners and regional organizations to ensure that climate and disaster-risk information informs humanitarian preparedness and early action. The assignment will support analysis and practical knowledge products linking climate risk with humanitarian preparedness, coordination and response.

Task description

Under the direct supervision of an international OCHA staff member based in Suva, the Climate Risk and Humanitarian Action Associate will undertake the following tasks:
• Support research and analysis on climate-related humanitarian risks and their implications for preparedness and response in assigned Pacific Island countries and/or assigned portfolios.
• Contribute to country and regional risk profiles, briefing notes and presentations on climate-related hazards, vulnerability and potential humanitarian impacts.
• Assist in reviewing early-warning, seasonal and hazard information and translating relevant findings into humanitarian preparedness products.
• Support analysis of compound and cascading risks, including impacts on food, water, health, displacement and essential services, as relevant to OCHA's mandate.
• Contribute to consultations and workshops with governments and partners on climate-informed humanitarian preparedness and early action.
• Assist in documenting good practices, lessons learned and regional approaches at the intersection of climate risk and humanitarian action.

Skills and experience

- Demonstrated interest and/or experience (up to two years) in:
• climate risk, environmental science, disaster risk reduction, humanitarian action or related fields
• research, policy analysis, data interpretation or international cooperation
- Previous experience as a volunteer and/or experience of another culture, (i.e. studies, volunteer work, internship) would be highly regarded.
- Strong analytical and research skills
- Ability to synthesize technical information for non-technical audiences
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office; familiarity with climate, GIS or data-analysis tools is an asset.

Competencies and values

• Accountability
• Adaptability and Flexibility
• Commitment and Motivation
• Commitment to Continuous Learning
• Communication
• Integrity
• Knowledge Sharing
• Planning and Organizing
• Professionalism
• Respect for Diversity
• Self-Management
• Technological Awareness
• Working in Teams

Living conditions

The UN Volunteer will work in the OCHA Office of the Pacific Islands based on Level 2, Kaunikula House, Flagstaff, Suva. Fiji is a middle-income country with adequate basic services, and Suva is the capital and main administrative and commercial centre. Fiji is generally a safe and welcoming country; however, normal security precautions should be observed, including awareness of petty crime and residential security. Accommodation, shops, health services, banking and local transport are available in Suva. The local currency is the Fijian Dollar (FJD).

Full eligibility requirements, conditions of service and application instructions are available on the official UNV platform.